The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 56

Chapter 56: 56 Apologies

The standoff between the two parties had lasted for quite some time, attracting the attention of all the staff at Huichun Hall.

Only three people at Huichun Hall were aware of Gu Jiao’s medical qualifications: the second boss, the shopkeeper Wang, and the elderly doctor.

Although the rest of them often saw Gu Jiao there, they merely thought of her as a family member of a patient.

Both the second boss and Shopkeeper Wang treated her with great courtesy, and everyone else thought of her as the wife of a student at Tianxiang Academy.

One should never underestimate a scholar, as they could potentially become local dignitaries, wealthy businessmen, or local officials in the future.

However, they never expected her to commit such an act.

“Who would have thought? She seemed so honest and straightforward, but she turned out to be a habitual thief.”

“Yes, she stole someone’s jade pendant, and their jade ring.”

“I wondered why she came to Huichun Hall today even though her husband hasn’t come and she doesn’t have to pick up any medicine. She must have set her eyes on that rich lady? That’s why she followed her in to steal!”

“She’s not afraid of tarnishing her own husband’s reputation.”

“Isn’t that so? What a misfortune for a scholar to end up with such a wicked woman!”

Among all the people present, probably everyone except the second boss believed Gu Jiao was guilty.

Isn’t it obvious? She’s so poor, how could she possibly own such an exquisite jade pendant?

“Miss, please keep your jade pendant safe.” As the maid spoke, she bent down and hung the jade pendant around the young girl’s waist.

Gu Jiao reached out to take it.

“How dare you!” The maid’s eyes turned cold, and gave Gu Jiao a slap.

However, before her slap could land on Gu Jiao’s face, she was knocked down by Gu Jiao’s counter slap.

Everyone was stunned, not having seen clearly how Gu Jiao made her move. By the time they reacted, the maid was already on the ground, her cheeks swelling.

The young girl was shocked as well.

Gu Jiao extended her hand, scarred by years of hard labour, and plucked the jade pendant from the girl’s waist.

Throughout the process, Gu Jiao held her breath, not wanting to smell the fragrance on her.

The young girl stared at her with wide eyes, “You… how dare you!”

She couldn’t believe that a rustic village girl had dared to touch her!

After retrieving the jade pendant, Gu Jiao did not rush to put it in her purse. Instead, she took out a clean handkerchief from her bosom and thoroughly wiped the jade pendant.

The young girl could hardly breathe.

This peasant girl… was she insinuating that she was dirty?

When Gu Jiao wanted to annoy someone, she did it thoroughly and from all angles.

The girl felt as though her chest was blocked, and she was struggling to breathe.

The girl gritted her teeth and shouted angrily, “Go report to the officials!”

“Who wants to report to the officials?”

Along with a majestic and clear male voice, the stern-looking academy director walked over.

Another formidable character had arrived, and the workers of Huichun Hall cleared a path for him.

The director entered the room, looked at the young girl who was fuming with rage, and then at the maid who had been unable to get up from the ground for quite some time. He then respectfully stood next to Gu Jiao.

His position made his stance clear.

He turned around and looked at the young girl calmly, “Is it this lady who wants to report to the officials? May I know what happened that made you so angry?”

His words were courteous, but his tone was not.

The girl knitted her brows, and asked, “Who are you?”

The director answered, “I am the director of the Tianxiang Academy.”

The girl, “Director Li?”

“Achoo!” Gu Jiao smelled the scent of powder from the jade pendant and sneezed again.

The jade pendant was found in the bushes, covered in the same scent that the young girl wore. Compared to Gu Jiao’s pendant, this one appeared more likely to belong to her.

“Is everything clear now?” Gu Jiao asked.

“Even if the jade pendant isn’t something you stole, you certainly stole the jade ring.” The maid muttered under her breath.

“Enough, Yu Ru.” The young girl stopped her, looked at Gu Jiao with a complicated expression, stepped forward, bowed slightly and said, “I’m sorry, I misunderstood you.”

“Miss!” The maid was shocked!

Her lady was a noble daughter from the Marquis Residence, how could she be apologizing to a lowly country girl?

Even if she wronged her, wouldn’t simply clearing her name be enough? Why apologize?

The young girl said to the maid, “You should apologize to this lady as well.”

“But…”

“Apologize!”

The young girl’s tone turned stern, and the maid, not daring to defy her, glowered and apologized to Gu Jiao.

The young girl turned to the shopkeeper and said, “I hope this incident won’t affect Huichun Hall’s treatment for my brother.”

The shopkeeper glanced at Gu Jiao, saw she had no objections, and nodded at the young girl with a smile, “How could we let personal issues delay our treatment? Our Huichun Hall is here to save lives with skilled and benevolent hands.”

“Thank you.” The young girl nodded, and with her bruised maid, left.

Dean Li looked at her retreating figure and mused, “The Gu family? The Gu family from the Capital City?”

The shopkeeper sighed, “Who else but the Gu family in the Capital City could raise such an extraordinary daughter?”

Who among us does not make mistakes? However, to promptly acknowledge one’s errors, and sincerely apologize to a humble country girl, reveals a noble and generous character.

What Dean Li didn’t reveal was that the young lady was indeed named Gu Jinyu.